americans, buy american or quit yer' bitchin'.

Originally posted by rubbertramp

Originally posted by Legion2112
Since America no longer produces anything on a large, cost-effective scale, I'll tell you what; when locally produced goods & services won't eat all of what little income I do have, I'll start buying "American." Until that happens, I'll save as much as I can where I can. If that means I have to shop at Wally World, so be it. If that makes me a bad American, oh well.

what do you buy at wally world that you believe you can't get elsewhere at a comparable price?

Lessee; beef, poultry, seafood, perishables such as rice, bread, dog food, cat food, Hanes t-shirts, boxers, socks, towels, lamp shades, shower curtains, sheets, pillow cases, tension rods, motor oil, power steering fluid, toys, soda, juice, dry cereal, frozen foods, DVD's, CD's, cell phones, televisions, entertainment centers, end tables... I'm sure there are a few things I left out but the bottom line is around here, the only things you're better off going to a local grocer, farmer's market or retailer for are fresh produce, gardening materials and camping supplies - Western NC kinda has the market cornered on all three.

reply to post by rubbertramp



I went shopping at Wal-Mart the other day, because it was in the area where I needed to be.

I bought strawberries, for $1.67 a lb. They were grown in Placentia, California.

I bought some oranges, too, .58 cents a peice, grown in, Sequoia, California.

You can buy things grown and produced in the US at Wal-Mart. If just takes reading every freaking lable to make sure you do so!

reply to post by Legion2112


I think the point is not to "bitch" about not having money or a job when you continue to buy imported products.

Your situation will never get better if you are part of the problem.

Try to buy locally, even if it requires extra energy to find a comparable product 100% made or even partially made locally.

My opinion is 100% locally grown...by me.

reply to post by TonyClifton



Hey man, I'm not suggesting a problem doesn't exist, nor that it isn't a self-perpetuating cycle... but when times are lean, I'm going to do what I have to in order to make ends meet. I'm not going to try and make a statement when that statement is synonomous with a 20% increase in cost. It's not a question of shopping around. It's a question of smaller, locally owned businesses following an economic model where their overhead is substantially more than a competing national company, thus, that cost has to be passed on to consumers. If you can afford to take that kind of hit, more power to you... economically, I cannot.

Besides, he asked what you can get cheaper at Wal Mart than anywhere locally. I answered his question.

reply to post by Legion2112


I believe the quote is "if your not part of the solution, you are part of the problem".

You admit there is a problem. Are you part of that problem or are you trying to solve the problem. We can all make excuses why not to do something or we can choose to do something.

I'm not going to tell you what to do or how to live your life or spend your money nor am I judging you in anyway. I will tell you that you have the ability to change things if you so choose.

Originally posted by Blanca Rose
reply to post by rubbertramp

 

I went shopping at Wal-Mart the other day, because it was in the area where I needed to be.

I bought strawberries, for $1.67 a lb. They were grown in Placentia, California.

I bought some oranges, too, .58 cents a peice, grown in, Sequoia, California.

You can buy things grown and produced in the US at Wal-Mart. If just takes reading every freaking lable to make sure you do so!

i agree, as imentioned earlier, wally does sell some american made goods.
but, on the other hand, i bought the same strawberries on sale at safeway for .98 cents.
sometimes i can beat walmarts prices easily on same items elsewhere.

reply to post by Legion2112

Lessee; beef, poultry, seafood, perishables such as rice, bread, dog food, cat food, Hanes t-shirts, boxers, socks, towels, lamp shades, shower curtains, sheets, pillow cases, tension rods, motor oil, power steering fluid, toys, soda, juice, dry cereal, frozen foods, DVD's, CD's, cell phones, televisions, entertainment centers, end tables... I'm sure there are a few things I left out but the bottom line is around here, the only things you're better off going to a local grocer, farmer's market or retailer for are fresh produce, gardening materials and camping supplies - Western NC kinda has the market cornered on all three.

there are a few companies that produce some of these items in the u.s., and like has been mentioned some of what you buy at walmart listed is possibly made in the u.s.
i also mentioned that i like the dollar general, the one with the yellow sign, if in your area.
pedigrre dog food is cheaper than walmart. they sell a line of inexpensive canned made in america.
t.p., paper towels, etc......are cheaper than walmart.
i'll be back with a few ideas.

reply to post by TonyClifton


Fine, then I suppose I'm part of the problem... and since I live near Asheville, which has a higher cost of living per capita than Atlanta, Georgia (but without the COL adjustment) I'm perfectly happy to be a part of the problem until such time as I can afford to be a part of the solution. Until then, happy problem solving to you.

You've got to understand, things are a little different around here. Aside from our Farmer's Market and food co-op, which I frequent somewhat irregularly, there's not a whole lot of locally produced... well, anything. Most of the locally owned shops downtown cater to the wealthy and what locally owned furniture outlets we have ship their stuff in from overseas anyway... that industry dried up around here almost 20 years ago. I guess I should've prefaced with that...

reply to post by Legion2112


plenty of dollar generals in your area. check um' out, see if they have more u.s. made goods.
dollar general

and, what is the earthfare store?
is it expensive like whole foods, or reasonable?
www.earthfare.com...

to bad there's no trader joe's near you, not a one in all of n.c.

Thanks for the thread. I try to buy American as much as possible.

I get alot of household stuff from an antique mall nearby or yard sales, and because the stuff is old it is usually American made.

I stay out of Walmart as much as possible. I stopped buying cheap clothes and cheap shoes. They were getting worn out within a month. Then I would have to buy more.

So I figured better to pay more up front and have clothes/shoes last, then keep buying them.

Just a little trip down memory lane.

Remember Wal-mart's old slogan

Made in the USA

American manufacturers are of two minds about Wal-Mart's much-ballyhooed Buy American program.

Some U.S. manufacturers contend there is more smoke than fire to the program.

However, the program has led to significant opportunities for other vendors, particularly start-ups who shape their way of doing business to Wal-Mart's needs. And, report some vendors, there have been some unintended benefits that have devolved from the program as well.

Wal-Mart vigorously disputes the negative allegations, but most suppliers (including some major Wal-Mart vendors) agree that Kmart and Target probably sell more American-made products as a percentage of sales than does Wal-Mart, and that many catalogers and specialty retailers are even more Made in the USA-oriented.

findarticles.com...

You would have thought that Americans would have given up on Wal-mart after they found out not all was made in America. Yet, Americans have helped Wal-mart become a powerful giant.

Wal-mart is giving the customers what the customers are asking for.

reply to post by rubbertramp


Dollar General we have... my girlfriend and I hit that place up about once a month...

Earthfare is rediculously expensive unless you're getting herbal tea. It's kind of a grocery store for rich hippies - but they do make a decent soy latte.

I don't buy vehicles from bailed out and failed companies like General Motors or Chrysler.

I try to buy American when feasible. I just bought a pair of New Balance shoes that were made in the USA (or at least partially made in the USA). The shoes cost a few dollars more than their Chinese counterparts, but I feel it is worth it.

The problem with buying American is not just cost, but sometimes foreign goods are better quality. Despite the negative press Toyota has gotten this year, they still make a better car than the big 3. Your chances of getting a Toyota with a sticky gas pedal are 1 in a 1000. Your chances of getting a Ford or GM car that is a lemon are about 1 in 2.

I know how to bring those lost American jobs (and Canadian jobs) back, right fast.

All we got to do is:
-Get rid of minimum wages, work harder for longer hours for a couple bucks a day.
-get rid of environmental regulations.
-ignore product safety standards.
-get rid of safety standards in the workplace.
-put those kids to work.
-get rid of human rights.
-produce shoddy crap.

I am sure I missed a few.

And, if places like China did the opposite of that mentioned above, that would also help us create jobs over here, because we'd be on equal par with various laws and regulations, therefore equal status trading partners.

What kind of a world would it be if we all adopted China's standards?
Pretty bad.

How do we compete against that?

Why should I be forced to buy some sub-standard crap with an American flag on it when there are far better products on the market. For instance I refuse to drive an American car due to bad personal experiences, their reputation, and I just flat out hate the American car industry. This notion of being forced to buy local out of nationalistic pride was a cracker jack program for countries like the USSR. The one nice thing though is if this sentiment ever becomes any kind of tangible reality, the black market will be huge for quality imported products.

Want to fix the problem? Go after corporations that's manufacturing base is off-shore and harbors tax shelters. Or go after government to place tariffs on foreign products which have a domestic equivalent. However to blame the consumer for being intelligent and thrifty with his money is borderline retarded and shows a lack of comprehension in regards to how the world works. Also why not go after the consumer who's trying to stretch their dollar as far as possible? It's indicative of the American problem solving process prevalent today. Always blame the people on the bottom. Or you could be an adult and accept that American is getting it's teeth kicked out in the game it created, capitalism. Funny how a lot of you are sounding a little socialist.

Unfortunately the world's economy had depended on slavery since the dawn of time. Slavery and rich untapped resource base is what made the United States a economic super power. Now 21st Century slavery is making China and India economic super powers. There's not a damn thing you can do about it either except try to figure out how to cash in on it or cry about it.


[edit on 20-5-2010 by PatesHatriots]

reply to post by sodakota

I get alot of household stuff from an antique mall nearby or yard sales, and because the stuff is old it is usually American made.

ah, awesome, me to.
besides food and household stuff about everything i own is old or recycled.
i do buy new socks, underwear and stuff.
just found a pair of american made danner boots at a yard sale. gave 20 bucks maybe worn a few times.
expensive damn boots to buy new, couple hundred at least.

Originally posted by havok

Originally posted by rubbertramp
i haven't stepped into a walmart for 4 years.
i'm just soooo sick and tired of americans bitching about the economy.
we can make a difference.
i'd love to have a thread about american made products that are available.
here are 2 of my favorite.

Well, put your money where you mouth is, friend, and make a thread.

Americans are complaining because there is a limited supply of American made goods.

If you add up the cost over quantity ratio, it pays to buy from China.

Why? Because they want it that way.
Because the cost of living in America is 135% higher than any other country.
Because we need higher wages to pay for the higher cost of living.

The American Dream is a sham. You have to pay more to have more.

YEAH!

reply to post by hotpinkurinalmint

The problem with buying American is not just cost, but sometimes foreign goods are better quality. Despite the negative press Toyota has gotten this year, they still make a better car than the big 3.

i still drive a 80 toyota dolphin motorhome.
little 4 banger, 18+mpg.
p/u part made in japan, camper made in wisconsin i believe.
figure my karma's 50/50 on that one.

Gotta love the mindless masses "Oh no were exporting all of our jobs" and bitch and bitch then they drive a Japanese car and buy everything from huge corporations. Really amazing